WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of the past week: Frankenstein Alive Alive #2 – There is a story in here – and it’s perfectly fine – but the this comic exists just to look at some Bernie Wrightson art.  Writer Steve Niles is telling a perfectly fine story, but mostly he is just getting out of Wrightson’s way and making sure that the narration boxes don’t cover too much art.  My GOD is this art amazing!  I really can’t do justice to this art in a written description, so see this page over at writer Steve Niles’ website.    Pretty good, huh?  The whole comic looks that nice.  Sure, Wrightson can’t produce something like this on a monthly basis, but we use that “good art is worth waiting for” in cases where the art is no where near as pretty as this.  This will be a glorious oversized hardcover someday.  Wrightson is slinging art as compelling as anything he’s done in his whole career.

Most anticipated this week: Funny…..you sour on Big 2 superhero comics and people accuse you of “not liking comics anymore” or “losing enthusiasm.  Not true!  I’m pretty stoked for all the comics on this list and a few others as well (Chew #30 and Nowhere Men #1).  This is a BIG week of comics for me.

1). American Vampire #33 – This is the end of the Blacklist story arc and it has been pretty shocking so far.  I can’t wait to see what happens as issue #32 made it look like the “bad guys” were winning and I don’t see much way that Pearl can reverse the tide in a single issue.  Even though this is the penultimate issue before the series goes on a short hiatus, issue #34 is being pitched as a “wrap-up” kinda issue, so it looks like this issue #33 will contain THE story that we take into the break.

2). Bedlam #2 – The first issue of this was really hot.  It told the tale of a really scary villain and how he might be trying to take a good turn.  A lot of commentators have pointed out that this could have been a Joker story, but I’m really glad to see it exist as an unfettered, creator-owned tale.

3). Witch Doctor: Malpractice #1 – It’s been almost a year since we had any action from Witch Doctor.  I really loved the initial 4-issue miniseries and the one-shot that followed.  The characters are rich and funny and the art is incredibly good.  Art like this just cannot be produced on a monthly basis.  If you like paranormal, this is for you.

4). Planetoid #4 – Another “welcome back” moment!  The first three issues of Planetoid were really sharp as they told the story of a soldier who was lost on a far-away planet.  We’ve seen him make friends – and enemies – from the local population and what started as a space-based story now has more of a Mad Max feel about it.  The art has been great!

5) Morning Glories #23 – It’s a shame that this series isn’t getting the buzz it did at the beginning because it is really good and those of us who bemoan the decline of Vertigo should be very thankful for the dedication by Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma to tell us this long-form story.  No, all the answers won’t be provided in every issue and that can be frustrating sometimes, but I thoroughly enjoy these characters and love all the little glimpses behind the curtain at the Morning Glories Academy.

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Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week:  Hawkeye #4 – It as so tempting to go for Captain America #1, but goddammit, Hawkeye is just so good, in both writing and in art.  This may very well be the best superhero comic on the stands and apparently it stands up just fine even without David Aja.  Just fantastic comics.

Most Anticipated:  FF #1 – Fantastic Four #1 was alright, but it felt a little “safe.”  Well, FF, on the other hand, seems like Matt Fraction unleashed in the Marvel Universe, free to do whatever he wants.  The result is a team whose roster isn’t done justice by the word “motley.”  This looks like all sorts of goofy craziness and with the Allreds taking care of the art, the visuals are going to match Fraction’s madness step for step.

American Vampire #33 – The final issue of the Blacklist, it’s pretty clear that BIG things are going to happen in this issue, big enough to merit an epilogue issue next month and a series hiatus.  I have no idea what Scott Snyder has in store but I’ll be honest:  I’m a little scared.

Thor: God of Thunder #2 – So far, this is my pick for best book of Marvel NOW.  This is a “bold new direction” in the truest sense.  It’s epic, wonderfully ambitious, and absolutely filled with dread and sombre atmosphere.  Put simply, this is the kind of Thor comic I’ve always wanted to read.

Fatale #10 – Few comics are as consistent in high quality and craftsmanship as Fatale.  Well, if count consistent as getting steadily better, anyway.  I’ve enjoyed this second arc more than the first and found it to have a much more stable creative vision and with its finale here, I’m anxious to see what fate befalls our 1970s cast.  Knowing Brubaker and Phillips, it won’t be a happy ending.

Uncanny Avengers #2 – Are you kidding me?  After that ludicrous, brain-snatching final page, how could this NOT make my list?

FF #1 – Review

by Jonathan Hickman (writer), Steve Epting (pencils & inks), Rick Magyar (inks), Paul Mounts (colors), and Rus Wooton (letters)

The Story: The Future Foundation recalibrates following Johnny’s death, as dangers loom.

The Review: One thing is immediately clear while reading FF #1: this is what Jonathan Hickman has been building up to.  Many of the plot-threads resurge in this new series.  You get the return of the Wizard, a reminder regarding that little meeting Val had with Dr. Doom a few issues back, Nathaniel Richards’ return, and references to Sue’s new role in Old Atlantis and the fate of the Inhumans.  FF is, basically, a culmination of Hickman’s Fantastic Four.

Another thing that strikes me about this issue is just how well Hickman quite consciously balances the wild, super-heroics of FF with the idea of its being a family, with neither side being more important than the other.  They’re a group that goes off and has a wacky battle with AIM and then comes home to a family dinner afterwards.  More than that though is the fact that both these sides of the team are equally entertaining, albeit in totally different ways.  The superheroics bring the action and the sci-fi, while the family bits bring the laughs and the sincerity.  Speaking of laughs, little Bentley has the best line once again.

That said, there’s also a sense of sadness that lingers throughout the issue.  From the black and white outfits to Ben’s grieving to Franklin’s insistence of keeping Johnny’s seat empty at the dinner table, this is a family afflicted by loss, for all its superpowers and dinner table guffaws.  While Hickman doesn’t make that the defining feature of FF, it’s still present and not forgotten with a new #1.

I suppose the most important aspect of this issue is what it sets up for the future.  The return of the Wizard is ominous and promises a sure to be totally awesome plotline.  Meanwhile, the last page cliffhanger, revealing the FF’s newest member, is a massive shock and one that honestly gave me chills.  Granted, I’m a huge fanboy when it comes to the character in question, but it’s a massively powerful moment nonetheless.  Then there’s Nathaniel’s role throughout it all, already putting Reed’s customary leadership position into a greyer area.  All told, this is one of those issues that promises really good things to come and leaves Hickman’s FF in quite possibly a stronger and more interesting position than it’s ever been in before.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From the Past Week: Unwritten #23 – This series has now strung together 4 very powerful issues in a row and that puts it squarely back on my A-list of titles.  The art in this issue was wonderful.  Some pages made your hand cramp just seeing the detailed inking.  The revelations about Tom Taylor’s nature are coming fast now and that probably means that this series is building towards a climax.  Grab the last few issues and get caught up!  Runner-up: Bomb Queen vs. Hack/Slash One-Shot

Most Anticipated: Creepy #5 – Bless Dark Horse for bringing back this horror anthology!  I have no idea what kinds of stories we’re going to get this time, but they are always just the ticket if your’re seeking some good, old-fashioned B&W horror stories (often with wonderful ‘Oh, Henry!’ moments).  The only problem with this series thus far is the release schedule.  Why can’t this be a monthly series?

Other picks: Haunt #14, Lorna Relic Wrangler #1, Marineman #4, FF #1, Hulk #31, Neonomicon #4

Ray’s Top Picks

Best From the Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #656 – Shame on you if you aren’t reading this book. ASM has consistently stayed on the top of my “read first” list. Nine issues in, and Dan Slott has yet to disappoint.

Most Anticipated: Batman Incorporated #4 – After stops in Japan and Argentina, it’s good to finally have the Dark Knight back home. But what I’m mostly looking forward to with this book is his team-up with Batwoman. After word got out this month that Batwoman’s return to the shelves have been delayed once again, it’s nice to know that there will be a Kate Kane sighting tomorrow.

Other Picks: Hulk #31, Batman: The Dark Knight #2, Green Lantern #64, Captain America: Man Out of Time #5, Captain American #615.1, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #156, Uncanny X-Force #6